With A.J. Burnett’s Yankees career likely to come to a close before the 2012 New York Yankees season begins (what, he’s going to compete with Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes for the 5th spot?) let’s take a look at some infamous Yankees pitchers who have a reputation of being overpaid busts, chokers, overrated, or goats in pinstripes. Where does A.J. Burnett rank using WAR (Wins Above Replacement, i.e. how much better than a AAA player), post-season stats, ERA+ (100 = league average, anything under sucks), innings pitched, and salaries. (Please note: salaries totals are raw and not adjusted by inflation.)
Let’s start with Ed Whitson as an example of the “starting pitchers who can’t handle playing on the Yankees phenomena”since that’s when I remember hearing it first (with apologies to Doyle Alexander).
Worst Yankees Starting Pitchers (Guys with a fan or media reputation for having bad contracts, underperforming, choking, or sucking)
Ed Whitson (1985-1986)
Salary: Five-year contract worth $4.4 million, only lasted 1.5 years. Long-term deals were reserved for superstars. $800,000 year vs $615,654 1985 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1985 was Goose Gossage at $1,713,333.
Post-season: None.
Innings Pitched: 195.2
ERA+: 75
WAR: -3 (Yes, that’s NEGATIVE THREE!)
Britt Burns (1986)
Salary: Acquired via trade (Yankees lost Joe Cowley and Ron Hassey). $750,000, plus minor league rehab in 1990 in a failed comeback bid. League average was $672,707. The highest paid pitcher in 1986 was Jose DeLeon at $1,825,000.
Post-season: None.
Innings Pitched: 0
ERA+: n/a
WAR: n/a
Steve Trout: 1987
Salary: Was acquired via mid-season trade (Yankees lost Rich Scheid, Bob Tewksbury and Dean Wilkins), so possibly $400,000. Was traded after 1987, and the Yanks had to pay $1 million + remaining on his contract.
Innings Pitched: 46.1
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 68
WAR: -0.6 (NEGATIVE)
Dave LaPoint (1989-1990)
Salary: 3-year/$2.5 million, lasted two years. In 1989, he made $825,000 vs $708,988 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1989 was Orel Hershiser at $2,766,667.
Innings Pitched: 271.1
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 83
WAR: -0.4 (NEGATIVE)
Pascual Perez (1990-1992)
Salary: $5.7-million, three-year contract. In 1990, he made $1,400,000 vs $810,953 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1990 was Roger Clemens at $2,600,000. Lasted two years, was suspended by MLB prior to third year due to drugs.
Innings Pitched: 87.2 That’s right- only 17 games started in three years.
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 145
WAR: 2.6
Andy Hawkins (1989-1991)
Salary: Three-year contract for $3.6 million, lasted 2.5 years. In 1989, he made $933,333 vs $708,988 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1989 was Orel Hershiser at $2,766,667.
Innings Pitched: 378.2
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 76
WAR: -3.2 (NEGATIVE)
Mike Witt (1990-1993)
Salary: Yankees traded Dave Winfield in May 1990. Witt’s contract was $1,300,000. Yankees then extended Witt in 1991 with a three-year contract worth $8 million, and bought out the 4th option year with $500,000. In 1991, he made $2,416,667 vs $1,116,063 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1991 was Jack Morris at $3,700,000.
Innings Pitched: 143
Post-season: None
ERA+: 83
WAR: -0.5 (NEGATIVE)
Tim Leary (1990-1992)
Salary: Yankees traded Hal Horris in 1990. Yanks took Leary’s $825,000 salary, and eventually extended him for three years and $5.95 million. Leary lasted two years instead of three. In 1991, he made $1,975,000 vs $1,116,063 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1991 was Jack Morris at $3,700,000.
Innings Pitched: 425.2
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 79
WAR: 0.1
Brien Taylor (Drafted in 1991)
Salary: $1.55 million signing bonus, plus 7 seasons in the minors
Innings Pitched:0
Post-season: None.
ERA+: n/a
WAR: n/a
Terry Mulholland (1994)
Salary: Yankees traded Kevin Jordan, Ryan Karp and Bobby Munoz. One year deal. In 1994 he made $3,350,000 vs $1,399,475 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1994 was Jimmy Key at $5,350,000.
Innings Pitched: 120.2
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 71
WAR: -1.4 (NEGATIVE)
Jack McDowell (1995)
Salary: Acquired via player to be named later (scrub). One year. In 1995 he made $5,400,000 vs $1,290,693 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1995 was David Cone at $8,000,000.
Innings Pitched: 217.2
Post-season: 1 game started, 1 game in relief. 0-2, 9.00 ERA
ERA+: 118
WAR: 4.0
Kenny Rogers (1996-1997)
Salary: Four-year, $20 million contract. Lasted two years. Yankees added cash to the deal to trade him. In 1996 he made $5,000,000 vs $1,263,172 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1996 was Greg Maddux at $6,675,000.
Innings Pitched: 324.0
Post-season: 4 games, 0-0, Three series: 9.00 ERA, 12.00 ERA, and 22.50 ERA. WORLD CHAMPION
ERA+: 93
WAR: 3.6
Hideki Irabu (1997-1999)
Salary: $12.8 million, four-year contract. Yankees also gave up $3 million in cash to get him in a trade. Yanks gave up Ruben Rivera, but received Homer Bush. Lasted three years. In 1997 he made $2,325,000 vs $1,472,150 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 1997 was Roger Clemens at $8,400,000.
Innings Pitched: 395.2
Post-season: 1 game, 0-0, 13.50 ERA. TWO-time WORLD CHAMPION.
ERA+: 95
WAR: 3.1
Denny Neagle (2000)
Salary: Yankees acquired him for scrubs. In 2000 he made $4,750,000 vs $2,067,045 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2000 was Randy Johnson at $13,350,000.
Innings Pitched: 91.1
Post-season: Two series, 3 games started, 0-2, 4.50 ERA and 3.86 ERA. WORLD CHAMPION
ERA+: 83
WAR: 0.2
Sterling Hitchcock (the 2001-2003 return)
Salary: Yankees traded Brett Jodie for Hitchcock July 31, 2001, so they paid a partial on his $6,000,000 Padres salary. They extended him for two years for $10,936,719 (newspapers say $12 million). He was traded to the Cardinals for scrubs on August 22, 2003. In 2002 he made $4,936,719 vs $2,340,920 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2002 was Kevin Brown at $15,714,286.
Innings Pitched: 140
Post-season: Two series, 1-0, 6.00 and 0.00 ERA.
ERA+: 70, 81, 81
WAR: -0.7 (NEGATIVE)
Jeff Weaver (2002-2003)
Salary: Around $5 million total (Yankees traded Ted Lilly to get him). Yankees wound up trading him- with cash- for Kevin Brown. In 2003 he made $4,150,000 vs $2,555,416 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2003 was Kevin Brown at $15,714,286.
Innings Pitched: 237.1
Post-season: Bullpen 3 games, ERA for two series: 6.75 and 9.00
ERA+: 83
WAR: 1.1
Jose Contreras (2003-2004)
Salary: $32 million for four years. Lasted 1.5 seasons. Was traded-with cash- for Esteban Loaiza. In 2003 he made $5,500,000 vs $2,555,416 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2003 was Kevin Brown at $15,714,286. He made $8,500,000 for two more years, and $9,500,000 in the fourth year.
Innings Pitched: 166.2
Post-season: Two series, bullpen 4 games, 0-2, 5.79 and 5.68 ERA.
ERA+: 96
WAR: 1.8
Kevin Brown (2004-2005)
Salary: $31,428,572/2 years from trade (Weaver), plus $2.6 million. In 2004 he made $15,714,286 vs $2,486,609 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2004 was Pedro Martinez at $17,500,000.
Innings Pitched: 205.1
Post-season: 3 games, 2 series, 1-1, 1.50 ERA and 21.60 ERA
ERA+: 89
WAR: 1.6
Javier Vazquez (2004 and 2010 comeback)
Salary: First run ($45 million/4 years)- lasted 1 year. Yankees traded Randy Choate, Nick Johnson and Juan Rivera to get him. Was then traded for Randy Johnson. In 2004 he made $9,000,000 vs $2,486,609 league average. Second run: $11.5 million/1 year. Yankees traded Melky Cabrera, Michael Dunn, Arodys Vizcaino and cash to get him and Boone Logan. In 2010, he made $11,500,000 vs $3,297,828 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2010 was CC Sabathia at $24,285,714.
Innings Pitched: 355.1
Post-season: 1 game started, 2 in bullpen, 2 series, 1-0: 9.00 ERA and 9.95 ERA
ERA+: 87
WAR: 2.0
Esteban Loaiza (2004)
Salary: Acquired by trading Contreras and cash July 31. Yankees paid two months of the $4 million salary, plus October expenses.
Innings Pitched: 42.1
Post-season: 3 bullpen games, 2 series, 0-1, 0.00 ERA and 1.42 ERA.
ERA+: 53
The result: -1.4 (NEGATIVE)
Carl Pavano (2005-2008)
Salary: Four-year contract worth $39.95 million. In 2005, he made $9,000,000 vs $2,632,655 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2005 was Mike Mussina at $19,000,000. Pavano’s contract increased in value every year to $11 million.
Innings Pitched: 145.2
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 87
WAR -0.1 (NEGATIVE)
Randy Johnson (2005-2006)
Salary: 3 years/$45 million: acquired via trade for Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, Javier Vazquez. and cash. Yankees paid Johnson his Arizona contract in 2005, and then extended him for two more years. Lasted two years before being traded back to Arizona. In 2005, he made $16,000,000 vs $2,632,655 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2005 was Mike Mussina at $19,000,000. Innings Pitched: 430.2
Post-season: 2 games started, 1 in relief. Two series: 6.14 ERA and 7.94 ERA.
ERA+: 100
WAR: 5.8
Jaret Wright (2005-2006)
Salary: Three-year, $21 million deal. Lasted two years. In 2005, he made $5,666,667 vs $2,632,655 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2005 was Mike Mussina at $19,000,000. Wright’s contract peaked at $7,666,667.
Innings Pitched: 204
Post-season: 1 game started, 0-1, 10.13 ERA
ERA+: 89
WAR: 0.9
Kei Igawa (2007-2011)
Salary: $26 million bid fee + 5 years/$20 million total ($46 million dollar investment). In 2007, he made $4,000,000 vs $2,820,000 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2007 was Roger Clemens’ prorated $18.7 million.
Innings Pitched: 71.2
Post-season: None.
ERA+: 68
WAR: -1 (NEGATIVE)
Roger Clemens (the 2007 return)
Salary: In 2007, he made $18.7 million to start in June vs $2,820,000 league average. He was the highest paid pitcher.
Innings Pitched: 99
Post-season: 1 game started, 0-0, 11.57 ERA
ERA+: 108
WAR: 1.0
A.J. Burnett (2009-2011??)
Salary: Five year $82.5 million, lasted three years?? Yankees already paid out $49,500,000 plus post-season bonuses, and will be on the hook for a lot if he’s traded. In 2009, he made $16,500,000 vs $3,240,206 league average. The highest paid pitcher in 2009 was Johan Santana at $18,876,139.
Innings Pitched: 584
Post-season: 7 games, 5 series, 2-2, 5.08 ERA total. WORLD CHAMPION
ERA+: 93
WAR: 3.4
CONCLUSIONS:
Highest single season salary: Clemens
Highest total salary for original contract: Burnett
Fewest innings pitched: Burns and Taylor
Worst ERA+: Loaiza
Worst WAR: Hawkins
Best WAR: Johnson
Best ERA+: Perez
Most innings pitched: Burnett
Due to his surprise durability, A.J. Burnett was somewhat productive, but only as a 4th starter, not as being touted as a #2 Yankees starter, as his salary dictates. Having a below average ERA for 584 innings is nothing to be happy about. He wasn’t acquired to be a lame innings eater in the backend of the rotation. In fact, he was always pushed on the front end. His 5.08 post-season ERA is horrible. His 3.4 WAR means that he has averaged around 1 win better than a AAA player for his three years with the Yankees. Was it worth $50 million? Of course not. Cashman should have been fired for that.
That being said, Kei Igawa eating $46 million for his horrible work is much worse (unless you want to defend Brian Cashman and pretend the $26 million posting fee was monopoly money since it didn’t count towards the luxury tax threshold). He makes Carl Pavano’s $40 million dollar theft look good (well, only by a little). All three were Cashman moves.
Kevin Brown’s earnings and horrible production should be more than footnotes, as well. When you consider Cashman dumped Weaver for him, it doesn’t make any sense since Weaver was cheaper (and just as bad).
Irabu gets ripped (which contributed to his suicide) but he wasn’t “that bad” compared to some of the other yahoos on this this.
But those are all modern contracts, so take a look at the older ones and make your own comparisons. The older ones are terrible even though the money isn’t as high. Total sunk costs. Pascual Perez had great starts and it’s a shame he only pitched in 17 games over 3 years, because his salary was way too high for the time.
Here’s another interesting thing: everyone deserved to be on this list- either with a poor Yankees career, having a huge salary that didn’t justify the stats, or due to a poor post-season. Clemens and Johnson were “kinda okay” but way overpaid, especially with the expectations that they were the greatest pitchers of all time. Jack McDowell is unfairly ripped by Yankees fans. It’s true expectations were high, but his stats are fine. Yankees fans deserved to get the F-finger from Black Jack anyway.
By the way, with WAR totals being so low, general managers might as well give AAA pitchers more of a chance to be replacement players at minimum wage.
© DailySkew Baseball | Worst Yankees Pitchers: Overpaid Busts, Chokers, Goats: Where Does A.J. Burnett Rank?
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Mets and Santana countdown
- Is A.J. Burnett Overrated?
- Post Season: Randy Johnson vs Pedro Martinez vs. Greg Maddux vs Roger Clemens
- Mo Criticism Unwarranted
- Rays beat Pettitte; Twins Tigers TIED with one more game left; GMs fired
- Yankees offer C.C. Sabathia $140 million
- Yankees trade for Nick Swisher
- Yu Darvish Scouting Report 2011-2012
- John Smoltz and Braves split; signs with RED SOX
- Manny Ramirez signs with Dodgers $45 million
- Mike Mussina Retires: Hall of Fame?
- A’s Trade Starter Joe Blanton to Phillies for minor leaguers
- Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui, and Johnny Damon Reconsidered
- Giambi signs with A’s; Pavano signs with Indians
- Yanks Cut Wang
- Howard Johnson, Part I: The Tigers and Mets Trade
- Bobby Abreu Signs With Angels
- Trade: Melky Cabrera for Mike Cameron???
- Joba Rules- Yankees win 8th in a row
- 2011 A.J. Burnett is Actually Having a Better Year than 2010 AJ
